In one scam, typically carried on in a Craig’s list advertisement, an automobile is said to be for sale at a very low price. The vehicle may be a pickup or auto of late model and usually loaded with options and extras. Upon inquiry, the buyer is told it is owned by an American serviceman or woman stationed overseas who is being transferred and needs to sell the vehicle. The promise is that the car will be shipped to the US to the buyer, as soon as it is paid for. The price is very low, maybe ¼ of the real market value. There are usually e-mails back and forth to establish a relationship and trust which leads the buyer to wire transfer money overseas. That is where it ends. No vehicle, no more e-mails, no way to pursue the loss.

Another recent scam involved an ad in a local paper promising to sell a registered dog at a price that was very low compared to the market price. There was an out of state telephone number provided to call to learn about the animal. When the number was called, the caller was referred to another number on some pretext. The pet was described as being just what the buyer was looking for, with a hard luck story to explain the low price. The buyer was asked to send money by Western Union. This was done and then a call was received saying the money had been received, but there was some other problem and more money was needed. This was repeated till the buyer would no longer send money. The pet never arrives and no more phone calls.

When Law Enforcement investigates, it will be a bogus address and the phone numbers will be of untraceable cell phones purchased for cash. There is no way to recover or to even know who is involved, or charge anyone.

Please be careful. Deal with reputable dealers. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is untrue. Do not give out personal information in response to e-mails that promise anything. I have won the South African Lottery several times now and I am still waiting to get the checks.